Not necessarily new, but some truly wonderful moments. My only regret with this movie is that it wasn't longer.

Rating: 10/10 (7 November 2002)

My friend who I went to see the film with described it, initially, as the "best film I've ever seen", tempered later by the description, "One of the best films I've ever seen; certainly the best film of this year."
I enjoyed it too. :-)
[SOME SPOILERS]
I wouldn't go that far myself! But it is one hell of a movie. Not a gorefest, but a story, with real characters where everything doesn't have to explained to us (the way American movies do). Example? Most movies would go:
Person1: They are infected with rage.
Person2: What do you mean by rage?
Person1: Well, sudden and extreme bouts of uncontrolled anger.
Person2: Oh, I see. So because of this rage infection, they attack people then?
Person1: Yes, that's right.
Person2: I see.
Etc. Sorry, but having seen the likes of Resident Evil, which *is* more high tech, but so awful to be untrue, it was a relief to watch a movie that didn't insult your intelligence, and gave it to you straight, with no hand-holding that is so prevalent in Hollywood movies today.
The sense of loneliness and oppression were wonderfully done. Using DV only added to the 'feel' of the film in my opinion.
Other points.
1. I've read criticism on this board that society is unlikely to break down as fast, the soldiers would not be so brutal, would not lose all sense of moral responsibility so quickly. Er, boy are you in for a surprise when the electricity is off for more than a week with no hope of it being turned back on, coz your neighbour will be round with an axe to help himself to your larder, quicker than you can say "I've got a family to feed." And have you met your average trooper? He's a gun-toting, beer drinking, testosterone machine. He has needs, the same as every other man. He's got a gun, and knows how to use it. These men had been through hell, having to kill (perhaps hundreds or more) mad Manchurians fleeing from the burning city. The last thing they are going to be is balanced human beings.
2. Killing someone by shoving their eyes through their brain. Ummm. I'm a bike courier and you are a trained soldier, versed in the martial arts. If I try to take you on using Marquis of Queensbury rules, I'm going to die. Not least because you've learned unarmed combat (and perhaps boxing!) and I have not. I'm not rational at this point and have to do anything, everything, to survive.
I'd sure be tempted to take this route against a superior foe.
Criticisms: The young girl's acting was appalling. Sorry. :-(

I felt the scene (post eyes through head) with Selena and Jim in the bathroom, Selena with machete in hand, was wasted. Selena would have been swinging that blade like her life depended on it. However, I guess that it did reprise her belief in being able to 'tell' when someone was infected though?
Conclusion: All in all, a great movie. Hope you enjoy(ed) it as much as I did.
Robbie